§ Mr. LYNNasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will request the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland to instruct their inspectors to refuse to consider complaints against teachers unless they have been put in writing and a copy supplied to the teachers concerned; whether he is aware that the existing practice is causing much discontent in the ranks of teachers; and whether he is aware that many Roman Catholic clerical managers make confidential reports to inspectors, so as to avoid the inconvenience of submitting the cases to their bishops?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe Commissioners of National Education have no grounds for supposing that their inspectors allow their judgment to be affected by628W statements not supported by evidence, which may be made to them regarding the teachers. The inspectors are not invested with authority to decide upon charges made against teachers, and no action is taken by the Commissioners in such cases until the teacher concerned has been made fully aware of the ground of complaint and has had an opportunity of meeting it. The Commissioners are not aware that there is discontent amongst the teachers on account of the practice alleged in the question. It is, of course, open to a manager to place before the inspector his views regarding the manner in which a teacher is discharging his duties, but the Commissioners have no reason for believing that any section of the managers abuse this privilege.